In the News
It’s been a little while, but December started with a bang for us when Dame Rose claimed the opening race on Ladbrokes Trophy day at Newbury. In doing so, she comprehensively turned the form around with her vanquisher from the previous race, Cap Soleil. She had suffered a knock to a hind fetlock joined in preparation for that race and we were much happier with her coming to this race.
We probably went off a bit too fast under the circumstances as well, but this time, Richard Johnson gave her an excellent ride from the front. We’re back where we want to be now and with a Listed prize over hurdles in the bag, we’ll probably keep her to two miles in softish ground and ultimately aim her at the Festival.
In other news, we have some great new paddock sheets from Allertons Racing as the Bloodstock branch is now sponsoring the racing side of things. As you can see from the picture, they really do look great and we’re very proud of the end result.
Previous Runners
Only two runners since our last update and we’ll start with Newbury winner Dame Rose. She took on Cap Soleil once again, hoping to turn the tables after her defeat at the same course a month earlier. We had a big swing in the weights this time, receiving three lbs from the favourite this time rather than having to give her five and we made the most of it. Richard Johnson gave her an excellent ride from the front and she jumped really well all the way ’round and when Dickie gave her a little squeeze turning in for home, she quickly struck up a gap. She made the most of her cruising speed and flew over the last three hurdles to win by nine lengths.
Our other runner, four days later, was Etoo Sport, who made his stable debut at Market Rasen. Running in a two-mile juvenile hurdle, he jumped ok in the main and tracked the leaders under Danny Cook. He was right there in the back straight, but lost ground turning for home, running a bit wide on the bend and soon had to be ridden after. He quickly weakened into last place and Danny pulled him up soon after that.
This week’s runners
We’ll start this week at Ffos Las, where Echo Watt runs in the closing bumper at 3.45. He is by the same sire as Uxizandre and also Omix D’Or, who we owned and won the Highlands National back in 2010. He should handle conditions today and we like him as a galloper. Being a three year old, he gets plenty of weight from his rivals and Charlie Hammond claims a further seven lbs off to bring him down to a great weight of just ten stone. We hope he’s not too babyish and he runs well with a great chance at the weights.
Ramonex has a trio of entries this week, at Newbury, Exeter and Ascot. At the moment we’re leaning towards Newbury, where has a handicap entry over the minimum trip. It’s a 0-120, so he’d be right at the top of the weights, but he should be able to carry a big weight looking at him. He ran a great race last time out, and hopefully, he can carry on that upward curve.
Finally
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